The best busy time?

[disneycat321]

Wow, thank you so much for all the helpful responses! I have to say that we've been leaning more toward an October or Thanksgiving trip (though it's nice to see maybe we don't need to totally rule out spring break), but I have some further questions...

Oct
- I can't decide if F&W is a positive or not. WS is our favorite part of our favorite park, but we aren't wine people and are just fine with the food we already get...not sure how I feel about the addition of more crowds at the place we usually go to escape crazy crowds. How much does F&W affect WS?
- I'm concerned about Oct still being hot - it's still really hot here (northern CA) in Oct, but we don't have the humidity!
- We aren't big Halloween people at all, so MNSSHP sounds fun, but not a huge exciting draw for us. We do LOVE Halloween time at DLR, but that includes SM Ghost Galaxy and the HM overlay...(I guess this isn't a question, just my own musing, lol)
- Are the hours usually decent in Oct? Nothing we love more than late, late night (after midnight) EMH at MK.

Nov
- THE OSBORNE LIGHTS ARE LEAVING! Ok, this isn't a question, but I want to express how sad I am about this. It was definitely a bucket list item. We do love Christmas though.
- If MNSSHP affects crowds in Oct, does MVMCP do the same Thanksgiving week?

We are currently looking at Orlando weather in November - WOW! I can't even imagine being there with highs in the 70s or lower. We could maybe even wear PANTS!

I'm a teacher too, and I'm totally jealous that you get a week off in October(I get nothing), a week off at Thanksgiving (I get 2 days) and 2 weeks at Spring Break (I get 1 week).

I took 2 days off and went for a long weekend (left Wed after school, had Thus, Fri, Sat, Sun, came back that night) the first weekend in December. That was probably the best trip weather and crowd wise. June and July were crowded and HOT! Week after Easter was pleasant weather wise, but was crowded. However, I did everything I wanted to do using rope drop, EMH, FP+ and touring plans. The level 10 crowds were really a non issue!

October would be awesome though!

We have more breaks throughout the year, but a shorter summer, relatively speaking. I like it.

 

[disneycat321]

I like October, but, like others have said, at least the first half of October is still very hot and humid. Having spent quite a bit of time in Southern California, I can say it will still be miserable in Florida at that time (barring an unexpected cool front, which happens sometimes, though rarely). Thanksgiving week is doable, and there is no more magical time of year at Disney than the holidays. Also, you might consider either the week before Christmas or the week after New Year's (I'm not sure exactly which two weeks you have). As long as you avoid the Christmas Eve-New Year's Day time frame, you should be fine.

I have the weeks before and after Christmas. That's an interesting thought - before Christmas. I guess that would work if Christmas fell on a Friday or Saturday. Since we are coming from CA, we like to keep our trips a week at least.

If you have any desire to be there on or over Christmas - go for it. We had the luxury of many an off-season trip before husband got into teaching and kids got into high school and sports activities.

We love our Christmas trips as much as our low season crowd trips. It is very crowded but very manageable if you use rope drop and EMH like it sounds you do. My suggestion would be if you plan on having children in the future, try a Christmas trip now while you are without kids. Save the October for when you have kids so it is a little easier navigating the stroller and wait times with squirmy kids. My kids are 17 and 14 now so they can handle going during peak crowds, getting up very early for rope drop, wait patiently in line, etc.

This is a super good point!

 

[AntJulie]

- If MNSSHP affects crowds in Oct, does MVMCP do the same Thanksgiving week?

It looks like from Saturday 11/21 through the following Saturday 11/28, there are no dates for MVMCP and the parks are open late (12am, 1am).

 

[disneycat321]

It looks like from Saturday 11/21 through the following Saturday 11/28, there are no dates for MVMCP and the parks are open late (12am, 1am).

Thanks! I should have thought to check for this month - duh! I just assumed MVMCP was Thanksgiving week - interesting that it's not! I have no frame of reference for that since DLR doesn't do a Christmas party (yet).

 

[TiffanyA]

As I said before, October will still be very hot and humid. While I really enjoyed F&W, it was expensive and did make crowds in the WS much much larger. I'd always say you should experience everything at least once, so if you haven't done Food & Wine, I'd do it if you have any desire at all. They serve beer and other cocktails at F&W if you prefer. That all said, I'd stick to my recommendations of Thanksgiving and Xmas. The week before Xmas will be much better than the week after Xmas.

 

[DVC California]

October. Accommodations are more affordable, crowds are manageable, and the weather is nice (or storming). The BIG PLUS is since you are Epcot fans, you are in for a treat as the Food and Wine festival is that time of year.

Now that I look at your list, I think you have them ordered the way I would as far as balancing crowds vs weather, so second choice would be Thanksgiving.

 

[MsMamaBear]

October. I loved Food and Wine!My daughter and I also went to MNSSHP, so we used that as a ticket and rested until party time, so I saved money. LOL! I'm a teacher too so I know about having to go during breaks which isn't fun b/c it's usually more crowded/expensive.

 

[UConnFan]

Wow! You get a lot more time than I do. If I could, I would go in October because the events during that time appeal to me (MNSSHP and Food and Wine). I don't get any time off in October, so we go over my April break (only 1 week). We find the crowds manageable, the prices decent, and the weather gorgeous. By April, we're ready to escape the cold New England weather. Plus, we love Flower and Garden.

 

[mshanson3121]

I'm a teacher, which means we can only go to WDW at the most crowded times of the year. So, my question to all of you is....what do you think is the BEST of those busy times?

Info: We have no kids (yet). Just two adults with lots of energy (at Disney anyway) who love utilizing EMH (both morning and night), Disney food, and touring HARD with just a short afternoon break. Epcot is our favorite park, and especially WS.

Considerations:
Crowds - We are really used to crowds because we had DLR passes for 5 years and were locals. When we went to WDW in mid-June 2010, we heard lots of people complaining about crowds, but we thought it wasn't crowded at all. However, we obviously don't LOVE crowds...lol.

Heat - We have a hard time with FL weather, which is why I would be REALLY hesitant to go in the summer again. When we went in June 2010, it was rough - 95+ every day. We live in high heat, but that humidity is killer, and we just aren't used to it coming from CA. We loved it when we went in May 2013 and was less humid, rained less, and was no higher than the 80s.

I think heat is a bigger consideration than crowds, for what it's worth.

Price - We stay on property and fly from CA. Flight prices and hotel prices are a big concern, and are MUCH higher at holidays (especially Christmas!)

Options:
1) My October break, which is always the week before Columbus Day.

2) Thanksgiving week

3) Christmas (I have 2 weeks like most schools)

4) Spring break - I always have 2 weeks - the weeks before and after Easter

5) Summer - I'm out mid June until early August.

Opinions? Thoughts?

p.s. Please don't remind me of how wonderful off season is. I know. We went one year in May when I taught at a year round school. That's as "off season" as we'll ever get, and it'll never happen again. lol.

Thanks!

We went this summer - end of June and loved it. That said, we're used to humidity. I didn't find the crowds too bad until the last couple days before 4th of July weekend. We went to Animal Kingdom July 3rd and it was quite packed - uncomfortably so. For that reason - I would never do Christmas break. I will take heat any day over heavy crowds.

Of your choices I would do October break or Spring break. Spring will be busier since it falls on Easter, but you'll have more time. So... I guess then it's up to you - do you want less crowds, or more time? I imagine weather wise it will be fairly comparable, with likely higher chance of rain in October, since that's still technically hurricane season.

 

[CynBeth]

Thanks! I should have thought to check for this month - duh! I just assumed MVMCP was Thanksgiving week - interesting that it's not! I have no frame of reference for that since DLR doesn't do a Christmas party (yet).

No they don't have MVMCP during Thanksgiving Week. It is the Friday before and then not until the Sunday after. Candlelight Processional and Holidays Around the World begin on Black Friday at EPCOT.

 

[DLo]

We have gone Colombus day several times. That would be my vote. Like others said , food and wine festival and MNSSHP are great events. I am going for the first time at spring break this year and worried about the crowds. I will just try to plan the best I can . I just am happy to be able to be going cwowded or not .

 

[T00dles]

Yup...we're on the school schedule too! We usually get the week before Easter for break plus a February break. We find the week before Easter to be expensive, busy, but fabulous weather wise. We also find that the crowds have been "newbies". So if you know what you're doing and use EMH you can rock it out and have a blast. Plus we do love Flower and Garden, they have pop-up food booths kinda like F&W just not as extensive! We also like to do water park and lots of pool time to soak up the sunshine, by March, considering where we live, we need it! For us the weather makes it worth it

 

[disneycat321]

Wow! You get a lot more time than I do. If I could, I would go in October because the events during that time appeal to me (MNSSHP and Food and Wine). I don't get any time off in October, so we go over my April break (only 1 week). We find the crowds manageable, the prices decent, and the weather gorgeous. By April, we're ready to escape the cold New England weather. Plus, we love Flower and Garden.

I probably don't get more time off than other teachers (my work year is 188 days, which is pretty normal for CA), it's just more spread out. We end up with about 6 weeks for summer. We also love Flower and Garden - we saw it when we went in May back when I taught year round. Is your April break in conjunction with Easter? I think that's our biggest problem with spring break - mine ALWAYS falls with Easter, so it'll always be more crowded.

We went this summer - end of June and loved it. That said, we're used to humidity. I didn't find the crowds too bad until the last couple days before 4th of July weekend. We went to Animal Kingdom July 3rd and it was quite packed - uncomfortably so. For that reason - I would never do Christmas break. I will take heat any day over heavy crowds.

Of your choices I would do October break or Spring break. Spring will be busier since it falls on Easter, but you'll have more time. So... I guess then it's up to you - do you want less crowds, or more time? I imagine weather wise it will be fairly comparable, with likely higher chance of rain in October, since that's still technically hurricane season.

We actually LOVED June when we went - great hours, manageable crowds - but it was the weather that killed us. I SO wish we were used to humidity. We are in northern CA and 90-105 degrees is the norm all summer, but with virtually no humidity. It just doesn't compare. We've joked that maybe we should spend some time in a sauna to "train" for it. June would be our first choice if it weren't for the weather. When we went in June 2010, it was unseasonably hot even for Orlando, and it was just insane. 97 degrees with high humidity at Animal Kingdom is an experience I will not soon forget. lol.


Question for all - How much does F&W affect WS crowds? I just don't like the idea of high crowds in that particular area for an entire October trip, since it's our favorite part of WDW.

 

[Disneylover99]

If you want to do F&W and/or a Halloween party, then choose October.
If you're into Christmas, choose November.

 

[mshanson3121]

I probably don't get more time off than other teachers (my work year is 188 days, which is pretty normal for CA), it's just more spread out. We end up with about 6 weeks for summer. We also love Flower and Garden - we saw it when we went in May back when I taught year round. Is your April break in conjunction with Easter? I think that's our biggest problem with spring break - mine ALWAYS falls with Easter, so it'll always be more crowded.



We actually LOVED June when we went - great hours, manageable crowds - but it was the weather that killed us. I SO wish we were used to humidity. We are in northern CA and 90-105 degrees is the norm all summer, but with virtually no humidity. It just doesn't compare. We've joked that maybe we should spend some time in a sauna to "train" for it. June would be our first choice if it weren't for the weather. When we went in June 2010, it was unseasonably hot even for Orlando, and it was just insane. 97 degrees with high humidity at Animal Kingdom is an experience I will not soon forget. lol.


Question for all - How much does F&W affect WS crowds? I just don't like the idea of high crowds in that particular area for an entire October trip, since it's our favorite part of WDW.

Yes, and see it's funny. We're from Canada, and everyone was warning me how horrible the humidity would be. I said we were used to humidity since we have very humid summers here, and they all said, "oh no, it's way worse, you have no idea" etc.. etc... Yeah. The humidity was BETTER in Florida, than what we dealt with at home, LOL. When we were there it was about 95-100F with about 55-60% humidity each day. Yeah it was HOT, but honestly, it wasn't the "slap in the face" that everyone told us it would be. In fact, we found the heat and humidity harder to deal with home, in Canada, than Florida in June! But, instead of 55-60% humidity we were dealing with 85-90% every day. Plus, in Canada, we didn't have central a/c with a backyard pool to cool off in

 

[Narnia_girl]

OP, I'm the same as you--weather affects my enjoyment more than the crowds. We just returned from a late October trip (Oct. 26-31) and I thought the mid-day parade heat was awful at times. Otherwise the evenings were perfect for touring.
Even though many of us live in areas that are hot/humid in the summer, I'm guessing that when it's really hot out we mostly stay inside. We don't spend 12-14 hours outside on our feet. That's my theory for why the heat/humidity is so brutal WDW.

 

[skuttle]

My DH is a teacher, and my oldest is in middle school now, so we try to limit our trips to school breaks as well. We braved spring break/Easter for the first time this year. We went the Wednesday before Easter through the Friday after Easter. We LOVED the trip. We had a fabulous time. Took LOTS of planning because of the crowds. We took advantage of early EMH every other day (our youngest kids are too young to really do evening EMH). The weather was perfect. We were able to swim every day.

We spent more time at Epcot than normal due to Flower and Garden. DH and I loved checking out all of the food/drink booths. It was like a little taste of Food and Wine without the crowds!

I was so nervous about going around Easter, and maybe from reading so many horror stories I prepared for something much, much worse than what we experienced, but we wouldn't hesitate to go during Easter again. The only negative IMO was that the prices for the resorts and food were higher. We drive so cost of travel wasn't an issue.

We've been thanksgiving week, week before Christmas, 4th of July, Memorial day week, first week in January, and Mardi Gras week. Wish we had a week off in October! I will do Christmas day through New Years Day when the younger kids are older.

 

[disneycat321]

OP, I'm the same as you--weather affects my enjoyment more than the crowds. We just returned from a late October trip (Oct. 26-31) and I thought the mid-day parade heat was awful at times. Otherwise the evenings were perfect for touring.
Even though many of us live in areas that are hot/humid in the summer, I'm guessing that when it's really hot out we mostly stay inside. We don't spend 12-14 hours outside on our feet. That's my theory for why the heat/humidity is so brutal WDW.

I think you're definitely right! We are used to 100 degree+ here, but we definitely don't go hanging around outside in it! We are ALWAYS inside during the hottest parts of the day.

If Oct 26-31 was hot during midday, I'm sure the beginning of October when I have fall break would be worse!

My DH is a teacher, and my oldest is in middle school now, so we try to limit our trips to school breaks as well. We braved spring break/Easter for the first time this year. We went the Wednesday before Easter through the Friday after Easter. We LOVED the trip. We had a fabulous time. Took LOTS of planning because of the crowds. We took advantage of early EMH every other day (our youngest kids are too young to really do evening EMH). The weather was perfect. We were able to swim every day.

We spent more time at Epcot than normal due to Flower and Garden. DH and I loved checking out all of the food/drink booths. It was like a little taste of Food and Wine without the crowds!

I was so nervous about going around Easter, and maybe from reading so many horror stories I prepared for something much, much worse than what we experienced, but we wouldn't hesitate to go during Easter again. The only negative IMO was that the prices for the resorts and food were higher. We drive so cost of travel wasn't an issue.

We've been thanksgiving week, week before Christmas, 4th of July, Memorial day week, first week in January, and Mardi Gras week. Wish we had a week off in October! I will do Christmas day through New Years Day when the younger kids are older.

I love this post! Honestly, spring break would be my first choice, but I, like you, have been really nervous because of all the posts about how terrible it is. The weather seems ideal, and we absolutely loved Flower and Garden! I'm also ok with lots of planning.

 

[JZCubed]

I'm a teacher, which means we can only go to WDW at the most crowded times of the year. So, my question to all of you is....what do you think is the BEST of those busy times?

Info: We have no kids (yet). Just two adults with lots of energy (at Disney anyway) who love utilizing EMH (both morning and night), Disney food, and touring HARD with just a short afternoon break. Epcot is our favorite park, and especially WS.

Considerations:
Crowds - We are really used to crowds because we had DLR passes for 5 years and were locals. When we went to WDW in mid-June 2010, we heard lots of people complaining about crowds, but we thought it wasn't crowded at all. However, we obviously don't LOVE crowds...lol.

Heat - We have a hard time with FL weather, which is why I would be REALLY hesitant to go in the summer again. When we went in June 2010, it was rough - 95+ every day. We live in high heat, but that humidity is killer, and we just aren't used to it coming from CA. We loved it when we went in May 2013 and was less humid, rained less, and was no higher than the 80s.

I think heat is a bigger consideration than crowds, for what it's worth.

Price - We stay on property and fly from CA. Flight prices and hotel prices are a big concern, and are MUCH higher at holidays (especially Christmas!)

Options:
1) My October break, which is always the week before Columbus Day.

2) Thanksgiving week

3) Christmas (I have 2 weeks like most schools)

4) Spring break - I always have 2 weeks - the weeks before and after Easter

5) Summer - I'm out mid June until early August.

Opinions? Thoughts?

p.s. Please don't remind me of how wonderful off season is. I know. We went one year in May when I taught at a year round school. That's as "off season" as we'll ever get, and it'll never happen again. lol.

Thanks!

October Break is the shortest period, right?

We very much enjoy Thanksgiving week. Holiday decorations are spectacular. We did this last year with our then kindergartener.

Summer has the most evenly dispersed crowds, save for July 3rd & July 4th. Heat & rain can certainly be issues, so too can thoughts of hurricanes. But if you want a longer vacation that Columbus Day, without missing school (which is what we do now) - Summer. July 4th Fireworks are also spectacular.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We loved being there for Thanksgiving. I didn't think the crowds were too bad and weather was great